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Classic margarita meets the desert with this amazing Prickly Pear Cocktail! This recipe features prickly pear syrup that is sweet, fruity and slightly tart, fresh squeezed juices that add even more sweet and fruity elements and then the Empress Gin…it is so delicious with a floral and fruity taste – it makes this cocktail.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Prickly Pear Cocktail
You are going to love this Prickly Peat Cocktail because not only is it refreshing and delicious, but just look at her… she is gorgeous! Fruity, floral with a spicy sugar rim, you can’t beat it. It is a drink made for late summer nights with friends.
Prep Like a Pro
- Juice Now, Chill Later – Don’t wait till your company gets there to start juicing! Juice everything ahead and store it in the fridge so you can relax and chill when everyone is hanging out!
- Sugar, Salt, Sumac – This is another thing you can mix ahead and leave in a plastic bag or even just sitting on the a plate on the counter till you’re ready to use it. Make sure you taste and adjust!
- Pick your Glass – A coupe or lowball glass both work perfectly for this prickly pear cocktail.
🔥Chef Nadia’s Tip🔥
- Make sure you shake this Prickly Pear cocktail for at least 60 seconds so you get icicles in there! It’s arm day 💪
- I’ve been talking about a specific shaker on my social media. It is expensive but if you like making drinks, this thing is life changing! It’s leak proof, has an integrated jigger, it’s insulated so you have to shake it less, has a screw cap so it doesn’t jam or explode, and it is huge so you can make more than one drink at a time! So check out this Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail Shaker!
Substitutions
- Gin → I love Empress Gin, but if it isn’t your thing, this cocktail recipe works with any gin you like or even swap it out for tequila.
- Sumac Sugar Rim → I love doing a sumac sugar rim, but you can do your favorite rim instead.
- Blood Orange → If you can’t find this, a regular orange will also pair very nicely with the prickly pear in this recipe.
The Perfect Pairings
This bright floral cocktail would pair great with Coconut Shrimp & Chili Sauce. Add a side of Syrian Rice and a fresh Butter Salad to that and you will be in paradise 🌴 and then finish off with a Passion Fruit Panna Cotta.
Prickly Pear Cocktail: Questions Answered
For this recipe, I used one of my favorites Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin.
Yes absolutely! You can use any alcohol of your choice.
I use Sumac by Z&Z, I get it on Amazon. I also use whichever one I find at my local Mediterranean market.
Prickly Pear Cocktail
Equipment
- juicer
- plate
Ingredients
- ¾ oz prickly pear syrup
- ¾ oz yuzu, juice
- ½ blood orange, juice
- ¾ oz triple sec , or orange liqueur
- 1 ½ oz elderflower rose gin, Empress
- 1 squeeze lemon
Garnish
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Sumac
- ½ tsp Salt
- agave syrup, or honey, for brushing on the side of the glass
- blood orange, slice
Instructions
- To a shaker, prickly pear syrup, yuzu and blood orange juice, triple sec, elderflower rose gin and one squeeze of lemon. Fill with ice. Shake for a minimum of 60 seconds.
- On a plate, mix your salt, sugar and sumac.
- Brush a little agave syrup or honey on the side of your glass and pass it through the sumac sugar.
- Serve with a ice (preferably a single rock) and a slice of blood orange and that is it!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
